At Caritas Day, Martins drums support for foundation

The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, has called on well-meaning individuals and organisationsto improve the lives of Nigerians by contributing to their wellbeing.

Martinsgave this advise in Lagos at theunveiling of the seven-year strategic plan for the Catholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria (Caritas Nigeria). The foundation is a branch of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria dedicated for the support and empowerment of the poor and needy.

Martins, who is also the Chairman of the Board of Caritas Nigeria, spoke glowingly about the foundation’s achievements since its’ inception 14 years ago. Some of the achievements, according to him, include carrying out over 65 humanitarian and development projects across its primary areas of focus such as HIV/AIDS and TB interventions andoffering Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) to more than 140,000 persons living with HIV and supporting over 100,000 Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC), as well as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

Disclosing how the foundation is committed to promoting social justice, building resilience and supporting development initiatives, he noted that this year’s celebration is a reminder of the need for the foundation to strengthen collaboration with different stakeholders to impact more lives.” He enjoined government agencies and individuals to join the movement to uplift the poor and voiceless Nigerians.